Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 95772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
He brushed his lips over hers and Willow didn’t move. His words alone had sent a rush of flutters in her stomach and flared a passion that was far too new to her to fully understand.
His lips brushed hers again, then whispered, “To me, Willow, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”
This time he didn’t brush his lips across hers, he pressed them against hers, kissing her with an intensity she instinctively responded to. His hand went to the back of her head to rest their as he tempted and teased her into parting her lips and when his tongue slipped into her mouth, the flutters in her stomach went wild and her passion sparked to a flame.
“Good, he’s at it again. Now watch and learn, because I’m tired of your fumbling pokes.”
The woman’s voice ended their kiss, Slatter and Willow both looking up surprised to see that the grate had been removed. And even more surprised to see a woman and man looking down.
“A pleasant day to you, Maddie,” Slatter said, a smile spreading wide across his face as his arms hugged Willow protectively.
The short, thin, pretty woman with long dark hair grinned. “A pleasant day to you, Slatter, and I see that it is a very pleasant day for you.” She held up a stuffed sack. “I have some fine food for you, but only if you’ll let my husband here watch you poke the woman. I’m tired of his unsatisfying pokes and fumbling hands.”
“I give a good poke,” a man of fair-sized height and fine girth argued.
“Half the time when you got me on my hands and knees, you can’t even find the right place to put that useless rod of yours,” she complained.
Her husband hurried to clarify. “That happens only when I drink too much.”
“Aye, you keep making that excuse,” Maddie shot back.
Slatter called up to the arguing couple. “I’d be glad to speak with your husband when I’m let out of here later today, Maddie, but I won’t have anyone watching me couple with my woman.”
“You did it for Beck,” she argued.
“Only to have Willow for myself.”
Maddie grinned. “So you like her.”
“I do and I’ll not disrespect her again by having someone watch us make love,” Slatter said.
Maddie punched her husband in the arm. “You hear that. He doesn’t poke his woman, he makes love to her. You’ll be talking to him later, Kevin, or you’ll not be poking me, not ever again.”
Her husband rubbed his arm. “I love you, Maddie. I have since we were bairns. If this will make you happy I’ll talk to him, but you can’t go telling people I don’t give you a good poke.”
“I won’t have to after you talk with him and I love you too, Kevin.” Maddie looked down the hole. “Kevin will be waiting for you when you get out of there later. Now watch out, I’m going to drop the sack down to you. You and your woman need some decent food.”
“Keep your head tucked against my chest,” he ordered Willow and once she did, he called up to Maddie. “Bless you, Maddie. You’re a beautiful and kind woman.”
“See. See how he tells me I’m beautiful,” Maddie said and punched her husband in the arm again. “I want you telling me that like you once did. Unless you don’t think I’m beautiful anymore.”
“You will always be beautiful to me, Maddie,” Kevin said, rubbing his muscled arm again.
“Then tell me more often,” she all but ordered him, then held the sack over the hole. “Here it comes, Slatter and mὀran taing.”
“You’re welcome, Maddie,” Slatter said and caught the sack in his hand.
“Be gone with you, Maddie, and what are you doing there, Kevin?” Rob called out.
“Stopping my wife from giving the prisoners food,” Kevin said. “Now come on home, woman.”
“Good, man,” Rob said.
“And I’ll have a talk with Slatter when you get him out later and let him know to leave my wife be,” Kevin said.
“About time a man makes his wife obey,” Rob said, coming to a stop by the hole.
Slatter lowered his arm to his side so Rob didn’t see the sack of food.
“Got some news for you, Slatter,” Rob called down, peering over the hole. “Your ransom arrives tomorrow and you’ll be freed.”
“Thank God,” Willow whispered, raising her head off Slatter’s chest.
“Good to hear,” Slatter called out.
Rob chuckled. “Beck has a gift for you before you leave.”
“I suppose you’re not going to tell me what it is,” Slatter said.
“It’s a surprise,” Rob said and slid the wooden grate back over the hole and walked away laughing.
Chapter 4
It was late and Willow was not only feeling the cold, she was also feeling anxious about far too many things. She remained still as best she could, not wanting to wake Slatter. He had tried to assure her that whatever gift Beck had for him, it most likely didn’t have anything to do with her. She was safe and soon-to-be going home.